Built-in oven cabinet: types, cabinet or cabinet, design

Although traditional gas and electric ovens remain in demand, they are gradually losing their positions, yielding in popularity to built-in appliances. The owners now have the opportunity to rationally organize their workspace. They can arrange each element separately, embed the hob into the countertop, pick up a beautiful cabinet for a built-in oven, which makes the cooking process more convenient, and the interior of the kitchen - stylish.

Advantages and disadvantages

It is quite difficult to rationally organize the kitchen space, especially when it comes to small rooms where there are many problems with the location of household appliances. Choosing the principle of kitchen arrangement, it is necessary to weigh all the pros and cons of different types of furniture and electrical appliances, to consider possible schemes for their location. This statement also applies to cooking appliances, which are presented on the market in the form of:

• traditional freestanding slabs;
• dependent ovens and hobs, they are connected by wires with a single control system;
• independent structures that can be installed separately from each other.

An ordinary stove, although it costs an order of magnitude cheaper, does not fit so harmoniously into the kitchen interior, it is not always combined with a furniture set. Dependent options partially solve the issue of aesthetics, since the oven is located in the cabinet, but have a method of installation similar to the previous analogue - the hob is strictly located above oven. It is for these reasons that consumers are increasingly opting for standalone models, which have the following advantages:

• The ability to lift the device higher. The device can be positioned so that it is not necessary to bend and squat in front of it.
• It is possible to distribute the elements in different zones, to use each individual component autonomously.
• With a separate arrangement of structures, there is no thermal discomfort. When something is being cooked in the oven of an ordinary stove, it is unpleasant to be around.
• One of the stand-alone devices is easier to replace, and in the event of a breakdown, there is no need to take the entire structure for repair: if there is no cabinet temporarily, you can cook on the hob.

The control panel should be at or just below the eyes. If the unit is higher, then its use becomes unsafe.

• For built-in units, the box itself plays an important role. It can be part of a furniture set, supplied with household appliances, or manufactured separately. Among the main advantages of this structural element are:
• Practicality. The cabinet can be used as a storage system for various items.
• Aesthetic qualities. The box hides the appliances, and, kept in the same style as the rest of the furniture, it complements the interior of the room.
• No gaps. There is often a gap between the oven and nearby cabinets, pieces of furniture, into which fat, moisture, and food particles constantly fall.
• Saving usable space. As noted, the oven can be positioned anywhere in the kitchen.

The main disadvantage of built-in units is their high cost, comfort is expensive. It is quite difficult to carry out work on the installation of elements into furniture modules. The process of rearranging furniture in the kitchen becomes more complicated. If the build-in into the cabinet was carried out in production, then if the device breaks down, it is not always possible to dismantle the structure without damage.

Varieties of oven cabinets

Built-in appliances are relevant for any kitchen area. However, the size of the kitchen affects the choice of furniture for household appliances. Regardless of the type of headset, all boxes, depending on the place of installation, can have different shapes: standard (rectangular), angular (triangular, trapezoidal).

There are two main types of furniture modules for freestanding ovens: floor cabinets, cabinets-cases. The first option is the most common. In this case, the oven is located under the hob. The second model is more convenient to use, it allows you to place the unit anywhere.

Curbstone

The bedside table makes it possible to position the oven in several ways. Many people prefer the standard version, they install the unit under the countertop of the kitchen set. This design allows a common cooking area to be created, just like a freestanding cooker. This option is most suitable for a compact kitchen, where there is a shortage of work surfaces.

The box installed under the table top can have a drawer located both below and above the unit. The distance from the floor on which the oven can be located should not exceed 20 cm. This statement does not apply to tall pedestals, which are often installed on the edge of a kitchen unit. They can have doors, niches, shelves in which various items and fixtures can be stored.

Among the main advantages of using bedside tables are the following points:

• Saving free space.
• Easy access to technology.
• The ability to organize the interior in a classic, vintage, country style. However, it all depends on the design of the box itself.
• The presence of drawers in which you can store different things.
• When the oven is located under the hob, an analogue of a classic stove is formed.

Flaws:

• Low location. It is inconvenient to use the oven; while cooking, you will have to constantly squat and bend over.
• Cleaning is difficult.
• There is a possibility of failure of the electronic control due to accidental ingress of water.

Pencil case

This is the best solution, but only for spacious kitchens with high ceilings. In a pencil case, the oven can be located on one of the shelves, or in a specially equipped niche. The unit can be installed at a convenient height, which makes cooking more comfortable. However, to use the technique safely, its top edge should not be above eye level.

Ovens are quite heavy, so when choosing furniture, special attention should be paid to its strength. The shelf on which the device will be placed must be reinforced; it can also be additionally reinforced with metal or wooden strips, stuffing them from below. For more reliable use of the furniture module, it must be fixed to the wall.

In addition to the oven, a dishwasher and a microwave can be placed in a pencil case. Free compartments and shelves can be used to store various kitchen utensils, food, detergents, etc. The pencil case is a versatile design that has the following advantages:

• allows you to place the oven at the optimal height;
• makes cooking comfortable;
• simplifies the cleaning process;
• technology becomes inaccessible to young children;
• gives the room an aesthetic look.

Among the disadvantages are:

• the need for the purchase, manufacture of reinforced structures, their reliable fastening;
• furniture cannot be installed in a small kitchen.

Cabinet dimensions

The size of the cabinet directly depends on the parameters of the oven built into it, for example, the width can vary from 45 to 100 cm, the height - from 40 to 100 cm, the depth - from 50 to 65 cm. In order to correctly calculate the dimensions of a furniture module, it is necessary to take into account its type (cabinet, cabinet-case), the presence in it of additional drawers, shelves, niches, installation method, as well as free place in the kitchen.

The height of the pencil case can vary between 160-220 cm, but if you wish, you can order non-standard furniture up to the ceiling. When calculating the optimal dimensions, it is necessary to take into account such a parameter as air circulation. There must be a gap between the side walls of the oven and the panels of the cabinet itself, at least 2 cm on each side, and the distance to the back wall should be more than 4 cm.

Standard oven sizes

Oven dimensions are one of the main parameters that buyers pay attention to. This indicator determines not only the choice of the appropriate cabinet, but also the interior of the entire room as a whole. On the market you can find narrow and wide, standard and compact models, each of which has its own size, which, in turn, depends on the manufacturer of the equipment.

The optimal width for standard and compact models is 60 cm, although this parameter may vary from brand to brand, usually it is less by a few mm. Units of non-standard width, for example, 56 cm, are much less common on sale. For narrow models, this figure is 40-50 cm, for wide ones - up to 90 cm. The wider the oven is, the faster the food inside it cooks.

The depth of most types of ovens is between 50 and 60 cm. Universal height - 60 cm. The dimensions of non-standard units vary between 33-50 cm, there are also higher ones, reaching 70, and even 90 cm. Thanks to such a variety, it will not be difficult to choose equipment of appropriate dimensions. The choice will depend on the personal preferences of the buyer, the availability of free space in the kitchen.

Requirements for materials and their characteristics

The quality of the material from which the cabinet is made is of great importance. It must necessarily meet certain requirements. Only a strong box will withstand massive equipment, so it should not be assembled from fragile parts. When choosing a material and its decorative coating, special attention should be paid to its characteristics. When heated, the cabinet should not emit substances that are toxic to the environment.

Natural wood

An oven cabinet made of natural wood materials is rarely used. This is due to the high cost of work and lack of practicality. A cabinet made of wood requires special care, since it very quickly loses its original characteristics in a humid and warm environment. Due to its high weight, it requires a more secure fit than other models. Despite the large number of different types of wood, it will be problematic to choose an original cabinet in color and texture.

The advantages of a cabinet for an oven made of natural wood include the absolute environmental friendliness of the material. Wood can age beautifully and create a favorable climate in the kitchen. Any cracks and chips on the facade that appeared during operation can be easily restored.

Chipboards

A budget material for a box with decent performance characteristics. Such a cabinet is made from wood shavings and sawdust. Formaldehyde resins are used as impregnation and binder. Furniture from each manufacturer differs in the concentration of harmful substances.

For the manufacture of cabinets for the oven, special chipboard plates are used, which are moisture resistant. A paraffin emulsion is added to the total mass according to the technology. The result is an excellent material for the production of boxes for built-in kitchen appliances. It holds screws and self-tapping screws well, is easily processed, glued and decorated. It is easy to cut any outlet holes in it.

MDF

The production technology of the material is similar to the method of manufacturing particle boards. The difference is a more thorough grinding of the components. Paraffin or lignin is used to bond and impart strength. Therefore, the content of harmful resins in MDF cabinets can be compared to natural wood.

Due to the homogeneous small structure, the MDF oven box is durable, moisture resistant, and fire resistant. Such a cabinet has all the advantages of natural wood, but it is cheaper and lasts longer.

Tips and tricks for choosing a finished cabinet

Often the box is purchased together with the oven. But if such a complete set is not provided, the locker will have to be bought separately or made independently. When placing an order, you need to know the exact dimensions of household appliances. The box itself should be 15-20 cm larger on all sides. The oven box must have a wiring compartment. An electrical appliance does not provide for a plug, so it will have to be connected directly to the mains.

The design of the cabinet, its material and colors should harmoniously fit into the existing kitchen environment. You can buy a small box and install it on the floor, or order a tall pencil case and build in the necessary equipment at chest level. If the oven is small, the case for it is sometimes mounted on the wall.

It is worth choosing cabinet models, which include strips to strengthen the horizons. This will greatly facilitate installation.

Where to place a cabinet with a built-in oven

A modular kitchen will look beautiful and effective if all the details are correctly installed and endowed with functionality. To make the oven convenient to use, several points are taken into account when choosing a place for its location:

• The arrangement of modules and built-in appliances should be done according to the "working triangle" rule. It is better to place a cabinet with an oven under the hob, between the refrigerator and the sink;
• The height of the box is chosen according to personal preference. It should be convenient to use a household appliance for all households;
• The oven must not be moved too close to the refrigerator or sink. Due to frequent and strong heating, adjacent equipment may fail, and the ingress of liquid will lead to a short circuit;
• The cabinet for the gas oven should be located at a distance of no more than 1 meter from the supply pipe. The use of a longer transition hose will affect the safety of the household appliance;
• It is necessary to place the box in a free zone so that nothing hinders the opening of the door. An angled position against a wall will not work.

How to do it yourself

If you have free time, simple tools and skills in working with wood, it is quite possible to make a cabinet for the oven with your own hands. You can assemble a box from scratch in just a few hours, and this solution involves spending less financial resources.

Before starting work, you need to prepare the necessary materials and tools. The walls can be made of simple plywood, for the bottom and countertops it is better to choose a denser material, for example, MDF or natural wood. If the structure will be equipped with a drawer, you must immediately buy a set of guides that are suitable in size. To increase the safety of using the oven, the box should not be placed on the floor, but on plastic furniture supports. It is necessary to supplement everything you need with self-tapping screws, a screwdriver, a saw, a tape measure, a level.

First of all, you need to accurately calculate the dimensions and draw up a drawing. It is imperative to provide a place for ventilation so that the equipment does not warm up and does not pose a danger to people and nearby furniture. At the next stage, plywood and wood are cut into pieces of the desired size, the parts are twisted with self-tapping screws and guides for the boxes are installed.

Conclusion

Increasingly, you can find modular furniture with a built-in hob and an oven in kitchens in typical apartments. Since the oven cannot be placed on the floor, and dimensional equipment is not always appropriate in a suspended state or on a table, it is imperative to provide for it a box made of heat-resistant materials.